Upon ETSing, Retirement or a Medical departure, what scared, scares you the most?

2019-01-09T01:00:44-05:00

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 9 at 2019 10:17 AM

2019-01-09T10:17:41-05:00

Interesting enough, for me the unemployment line. I was overseas and unable to job search (before internet). That was a time of significant unknowns. Then I needed surgery and had to do the VA entry process and get over that before I could resume job hunting. What bugs us the most is having no clue what tomorrow will or won't bring.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jan 9 at 2019 1:05 PM

2019-01-09T13:05:23-05:00

Great question SGT Jim Ramge, MBA Going back to school fulltime, supporting a family, and finding a house when the interst rate was 21% and I had furniture being returned from Europe with only 90 days free storage and I was overweight. As you can see I survived! Let's get this out to the Top Influencers to share with their contacts as well today.

Your Next Top Influencers:

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jan 9 at 2019 1:28 PM

2019-01-09T13:28:22-05:00

My disability caused by a back injury would limit my employment choices. It did not with a short stint in Civil Service or in the private industry.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jan 9 at 2019 1:53 PM

2019-01-09T13:53:02-05:00

There really was nothing I was afraid of. The day after my passover for LTC and notice I would be taking an early retirement, I was offered a position with the anesthesia group downtown. I already had my house, the wife had a job she loved, my oldest was a high school junior and I was on my 4th year on station. It was actually a relief.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 9 at 2019 1:58 PM

2019-01-09T13:58:07-05:00

Accessibility of records and benefits. As a drilling reservist, retired pay does not start until nearly age 60. Retired personnel do get ID, but it is plain and does not have chip like CAC. Sometimes retirees need to appeal medical rating for disability pay or care. While resources exist, they are more difficult to obtain compared to putting card into computer or having instant access on post.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 9 at 2019 2:09 PM

2019-01-09T14:09:10-05:00

Retirement and ETSing would be less scary as one has time to plan since it is a personal decision. The Medical separation comes with many unknowns and could be more scary if that is a sentence. Preparation or the lack there of, simple uncertainty in life. Thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 9 at 2019 3:48 PM

2019-01-09T15:48:22-05:00

I had PTSD in my 18th year in the army. I was weary of the consequences of being medically chaptered.

Response by SN Kristi Kalis made Jan 10 at 2019 9:53 PM

2019-01-10T21:53:03-05:00

Even with a medical discharge, if you didn't fulfill your contract they can recall you at any time. It's unlikely, but it is legal.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 18 at 2019 6:27 PM

2019-02-18T18:27:08-05:00

Would my retirement suffice for the family.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2019 8:00 PM

2019-02-18T20:00:08-05:00

Civilian employment or the lack thereof.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 18 at 2019 10:41 PM

2019-02-18T22:41:37-05:00

Finding a job,with a barely graduated High School education,a Vietnam Veteran in the Sixties.and a fair to middling drinking problem ,the prospects were not great but with some dumb luck and a lot of help from my Higher Power I survived,all the previously stated statements,job,education,drinking didn’t scare me though,Vietnam did!....does.